Gasoline pumping system



March 19, 1963 G. A. PATTERSON ETAL 3,081,915

GASOLINE PUMPING SYSTEM Original Filed July 12, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 19, 1963 G. A. PATTERSON ETAL 3,0

GASOLINE PUMPING SYSTEM Original Filed July 12, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 L w fiw is a y U PE J; Q a Q 7 B 0 8 2 2 A. 545 MW 2/ 3V3 IT w i;

United States Patent @fliiee 338L915 Patented Mar. 19, 1963 3,081,915 GASGLENE PUMPENG SYSTEM lenn A. Patterson, Delavan, Wis, and Elmer M. Deters, Eavenport, Iowa, assignors to Red liaclret Manufacturing Co, ii avenport, lowa, a corporation of lowa Qoniinuation of appiication Ser. No. 597,527, July 12, 1956. This application Oct. 132, 1960, Ser. No. 62,137 18 (Blair-as. (til. 222-333) This invention relates to a system for dispensing gasoline for use in service stations and the like having one or more dispensing pedestals and a remote underground storage tank, and particularly pertains to a system of this type wherein the pumping apparatus is located at the tank.

Underground installation of gasoline tanks and pumping apparatus is frequently advantageous to reduce heating of the volatile gasoline during warm seasons and to enable the tanks and pumping apparatus to be located at any desired spot, such as under the service station driveway. In general, the prior gasoline service station dispensing systems were such that it Was necessary to provide a relatively large pit around the underground pumping apparatus to either house parts of the pumping apparatus or to enable access thereto for service and repair. Such pits, however, are not entirely satisfactory since gasoline vapors are heavier than air and tend to collect in any pit or excavation and produce an explosive mixture with the surrounding air. As a safety measure, many codes and ordinances regulating such installations require that the pits be filled in after the pumping apparatus is installed sufficient to avoid a deep pit or depression in which gasoline vapors can collect and produce an explosive mixture. -With such an arrangement, it is necessary to do some excavating each time the pumping apparatus is repaired. Moreover, the likelihood of sand or other "foreign matter falling into the tank and entering the system is markedly increased.

t is the general object of this invention to provide an underground gasoline dispensing system which avoids the aforementioned hazards and which can be easily serviced and repaired.

A more particular object of this invention is to provide an underground gasoline dispensing system for service stations which eliminates the pit at the underground pumping apparatus to preclude a dangerous accumulation of gasoline vapors, and which system enables removal of the pumping apparatus for repair or replacement without excavating.

Further objects of this invention are to provide a gasoline dispensing system in accordance with the foregoing objects which can be easily installed; which simplifies the piping for the distribution lines, and which can be readily adapted for different tank bury depths and tank diameters.

The present invention is characterized by the provision of a casing which is connected to the underground tank and extends to adjacent ground level to form an explosionproof enclosure with the tank, and by the mounting of the pumping apparatus including the pump drive motor and the pump within the protective enclosure in such a manner as to enable withdrawal of the pumping apparatus by a man at ground level, without disturbing the piping of the system.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description and the drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view showing the invention as it may be embodied in a filling station;

FIG. 2 is a vertical section through a discharge manifold assembly showing the invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view partly in section showing the pump and delivery pipe;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view on the line 44 of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary section on the line 55 of FIG. 2, and

FIG. 6 is an arcuate section along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

This application is a continuation of our copending application Serial No. 597,527, filed July 12, 1956 which is now abandoned.

The invention relates to a remote type gasoline dispensing system wherein the gasoline storage tank is buried below ground level and pumping apparatus is provided at the tank for pumping the gasoline to one or more remote pedestals. Such a remote pumping system is shown diagrammatically in FIGURE 1, wherein the numeral 8 indicates a conventional gasoline storage tank buried beneath the pavement 9 of a filling station or located at some analogous underground spot. The gasoline is pumped from the tank to one or more pedestals 11, from which gasoline is dispensed through the usual dispensing hose 12 and valved nozzle 18 into the tank of an automobile in the usual fashion.

The pedestal 11 is of a common type such as made by a number of manufacturers and comprises the hose 12 and nozzle 13, a meter for measuring the gasoline dispensed, a computing mechanism and flow gauge (not shown). Gasoline is supplied to the dispenser under pressure through supply pipes 17 and 18. A branch pipe 19 is commonly employed leading to a second pedestal and frequently a further supply pipe 21 leads to additional dispensing pedestals.

In the embodiment herein illustrated, a pump and associated parts are mounted on the wall. of the storage tank as by a flange 24 defining a threaded opening into the tank. Screwed into or otherwise secured to the flange is a pipe nipple 25 projecting upwardly. The nipple carries a discharge manifold assembly 22, and for this purpose the upper end of the nipple is threaded into the outlet distributor body or casting 26 of such assembly. The body has an upstanding cylindrical wall or flange 27 coaxial with the nipple 25 for the reception of the lower end of an extractor nipple 28 which extends upwardly to a point adjacent the surface of the ground or drive Way. The extractor nipple 28 may advantageously be a.

suitable length of pipe casing. Seated in the driveway is a thimble 29 (FIGURE 1) surrounding the upper end of the extractor nipple and closed by a cover 31 flush with the driveway. The flange 27 carries an O-ring 32 on its inner surface cooperable with the outer surface of the extractor nipple to seal the interface against the entrance of liquids. Cap screws 33 in the flange bear against the nipple to secure the parts in assembled relation.

The discharge manifold assembly includes a core member 36 received in a central passage of the distributor body 26, an annular flange 35 on the core member bearing against an annular shoulder 34 to support the core member and the parts mounted thereon within the body. The flange is secured against the shoulder by a bayonet type joint including cap screws 37 and washers 38. A portion of the perimeter of each of the washers overlies the shoulder 34 in spaced relation thereto for the reception of the flange 35 and the flange has peripheral notches 39 (see FIG. 4) allowing the flange to move down onto the shoulder 34 past the washers and also has sloping surfaces 41 adapted to wedge the flange between the washers and the shoulder when the core is turned.

The distributor body 26 has a central opening extending therethrough defining internal annular surfaces 44, 45 and 46 to snugly receive companion surfaces on the core 36, the interface being sealed by O-rings 43, 47 and 48. The distributor body also has an internal recess 42 located between the annular surfaces 45 and 46 and defining a part of a discharge passageway. The body additionally has one or more tapped discharge openings located to one side of the central opening in the body and hereinafter sometimes referred to as lateral discharge openings. In the form shown, two lateral discharge openings 18' and 21' are provided for the reception of distribution lines 18 and 21, respectively. The core 36 has a central chamber 49 which forms a part of the discharge passageway and which communicates with the internal recess 42 through a series of annular openings, and also has a tapped downwardly facing opening 51 for the reception of a delivery pipe 52. The delivery pipe extends downwardly from the core through the nipple 25 into the storage tank 8. The delivery pipe communicates with the central chamber 49 through passages 50. Attached to the lower end of the delivery pipe 52 is a motor and pump unit including an end member 56 attached by means of cap screws 57 spaced annularly thereof, to the stator of a submersible electric motor 58. Secured to the lower end of the motor is a multistage centrifugal pump secured thereon by cap screws 61, the pump having a lower end cap 66 chambered as indicated at 67 for the passage of liquid past a check valve 68 into the pump. Extending between the lower end cap 66 and the end member 56 is a tubular shell 62 which is sealed against the end members by means of O-rings and forms a motor housing through which the liquid passes from the pump to the delivery pipe 52. A conduit 71 for the electric conductors necessary for the operation of the motor extends upwardly from the motor 58 through the delivery pipe 52 and through the upper wall of the core 36, this conduit preferably having a smooth outer wall for cooperation with an O-ring 72 interposed between the conduit and the wall.

The core 36 includes an upstanding sleeve 89 having a tapped bore for the reception of a pipe 92, the lower end of the pipe being threaded into the sleeve at a point spaced from the upper end of the sleeve. Set screws 93 act between the sleeve and the pipe to lock the pipe and prevent its being unscrewed when the pipe is turned from above to effect assembly or disassembly at the bayonet connection. The upper end of the pipe 92 passes through a casing seal 94 of conventional construction which comprises an upper plate 95, a lower plate 96, an outer annular gasket 97 and an inner gasket ring 98 so arranged that when bolts 99 are drawn up, the gasket ring 97 is forced out against the inner wall of the nipple 28 and the inner gasket ring is forced inward against the side of the pipe 92 to eifect a liquid-tight seal. Secured to the upper end of the pipe 92 are conventional electrical fittings 191 and 102 for connecting a conduit 103 to the pipe 92 in liquid-tight relation for the passage therethrough of electrical conductors 104 which pass through fittings 102, 101, the pipe 92 and the conduit 71 to the motor 58.

The core 36 comprises an upper inverted cup-shaped member 53 and a bushing 55. The cup-shaped member 53 has a threaded lower opening 1th] for the reception of the bushing 55 and the bushing has the aforementioned threaded downwardly facing opening 51 and the passages 50 formed therein. Disposed within the chamber 49 is a valve member 59 adapted to seat over the ends of the passages 59 to form a check valve preventing return flow from the chamber 49 through the passa es 59. The valve disk 59 is raised in response to pressure within the pipe 52 and drops back under its own weight guided on the pipe 71. The interface between the bushing 55 and the pipe 71 is sealed by an O-ring 6t and a gasket 54 is interposed between the cup member and the bushing.

The bushing carries a ball check valve comprising a ball 64 spring-pressed upwardly by a spring 55. The ball 64 normally closes a passage 59 which extends between the chamber 49 and the space within the nipple 25 that communicates with the interior of the tank. This valve forms a pressure relief valve so that, upon expansion of the liquid in the lines leading to the pedestal due to increase of temperature, a small amount of liquid can vent through this spring-pressed valve. The bushing 55 also has a bore 75 communicating at one end with the passages 50 directly beneath the valve disk 59 and the space within the nipple 25. A nozzle 7 6 is secured in a counterbore at the lower end of the bore 75 (see FIG. 6) and the nozzle directs fluid into a Venturi tube 77. A conduit '79 is attached to the lower end of the Venturi tube and extends down through the nipple 25 and into the tank alongside the pipe 52 to a point near the bottom of the tank, whereby any accumulation of gas such as air at the upper end of the pipe 52 or in the passages 59 will vent back into the tank when the motor starts. Since a small amount of liquid also passes down through this tube under the pumping pressure while the pump is in operation, the tube is extended to a point down under the normal level of the liquid in the tank so as to prevent spraying and vaporizing of the gasoline.

As shown in FIG. 6, the tube 77 is formed on a plate 80 secured to the lower side of the bushing 55, which plate has a lateral siphon inlet passage fill communicating with the throat of the siphon-priming ejector formed by the nozzle 76 and the Venturi tube 77. The passage 51 communicates with a counterbore 82 in the bushing which in turn communicates with a passage 83 opening into an annular chamber 64 (see FIG. 2). The distributor body 26 has a threaded pipe connection 85 communicating therewith for attachment of a pipe or tube 86 (FIG. 1), which in turn connects to the high point of a siphon line. This siphon line may suitably comprise a vertical pipe 87 passing through the wall of the storage tank to a low point therein and communicating by suitable piping as indicated at as to a second storage tank (not shown). Thus, as liquid passes down through the nozzle 76 and Venturi tube 77, it acts as an ejector to draw air or gasoline from the pipes 87 and 9b to maintain a siphon in these pipes and thereby carry liquid from a supplementary tank into the tank 8. A check valve is disposed in the counterbore 82 and comprises a valve member 91 spring-pressed to close the passage 83 but to open in response to reduced pressure in the counterbore and the passage 81 to permit gas to be drawn therethrough by the ejector.

In installing the mechanism herein described, the tank 8, the nipple 25, the distributor body 26, extractor nipple 28 and the necessary piping such as the distribution lines 17, 18, 19, etc. is installed in the pit and the pit may then be closed and the pavement applied. The nipple 25, discharge manifold 22 and extractor nipple 28 form a casing which extends upwardly from the tank to a point closely adjacent ground level. Although the casing can be arranged to project above ground level, it is generally desirable to maintain all parts below the level of the adjacent surface so as to not obstruct the passage of vehicles thereover. For this reason, the casing as shown in FIG. 1 terminates slightly below ground level and the shallow thimble 29 and cover 31 is provided around the upper end of the casing. Since the casing terminates very close to the surface, the depression formed by the thimble is very small and shallow and is such that an explosive accumulation of gasoline vapor will not occur. The present dispensing system thus provides substantially pit-free installation and thereby avoids the explosion hazards incident to installations having large access pits.

The pump, the pump drive motor and delivery pipe together with the check valve, relief valve, and siphon ejector, if used, are assembled on the core and the asembly is insertable and removable as a unit from the casing.

Since the distribution lines are connected to the distributor body 26, the core 36 and the pump and motor can be inserted and removed without disturbing the piping of the distribution lines. In addition, with this arrangement, any liquid which does drain back from the distribution lines when the core is removed, will flow into the tank and not into the ground around the pump installation. The core spans the central opening in the distributor body and forms a closure across the casing to prevent the passage of air and vapors into and out of the tank through the casing.

It is advantageous to locate the distributor body substantially below ground level so that the distribution lines can be buried deep to avoid heating of the gasoline in the lines during warm seasons. This also simplifies the piping of the distribution lines since they can extend directly from the distributor body to the remote pedestals. The extractor nipple it extends upwardly from the distributor body to adjacent ground level to enable access to the. pump from ground level. The length of the extractor nipple can be easily changed and provides a convenient way to accommodate difierent tank bury depths. Thus, the nipple and drop pipe can be dimensioned according to the tank diameter to support thepump and motor at the proper position in the tank. When the distributor body is mounted on the tank, its bury depth will vary ependent on the tank bury depth and the extractor nipple 28 can be cut off at the proper length to extend from the distributor body to adjacent ground level. With this arrangement, the extractor nipple will be relatively short for shallow tank bury depths. Obviously, the extractor nipple can be made as short or as long as desired and, if the distributor body itself extends closely adjacent ground level, the extractor nipple may be omitted entirely. Under these conditions, the upper seal 94 would be unnecessary since the core itself would function as a seal for the upper end of the casing.

It will be observed that all of the underground operating mechanism is mounted on the core 3 5, and the core is so designed as to perform the functions necessary to such a system, including the venting of air as through the pipe or tube '79, the relief of pressure from the underground piping through the pressure relief valve 64, and the priming of the siphon line to additional tanks. All of these elements are installed by assembling the core 36, the discharge pipe 52, the pump and motor. unit and associated parts onto the drop pipe 92, the entire assembly being thereupon lowered into position through the upper end of the extractor nipple. Thereafter rotation of the pipe d2 brings the thimble and associated parts into locked position, the flange 35 acting to support the Weight of the mechanism, and the Orings acting against complemental faces on the discharge body to provide the necessary seals, thereby sealing the space within the extractor nipple 28 away from the flow of liquid. The additional seal at 94 isolates the space in the extractor nipple, the structure thus providing a safe installation. Since all of the valves and moving parts are carried on the core as, it becomes a simple matter to repair any fault which may develop because the seal 94 need merely be loosened and the pipe 92 rotated in order to permit the motor pump and the core assembly to be removed for repair or replacement, and it therefore becomes unnecessary to dig up any part of the system.

We claim:

1. A gasoline dispensing system providing a substantially pit-free installation to preclude a dangerous accumulation of gasoline vapors comprising, a. buried gasoline storage tank located below ground level and having an opening in the upper side thereof, tubular casing means connected to said tank around said opening in sealed relation thereto and extending upwardly therefrom to a point closely adjacent ground level to define an access passage communicating with said tank, said casing means including a distributor body and a core removably mounted on said distributor body, said distributor body having a vertical opening extending therethrough forming a part of said access passage and a lateral discharge opening, a distribution line connected to said discharge opening for supplying gasoline to remote outlets above ground level, said core spanning said vertical opening to form a seal across the access passage and having a downwardly facing inlet opening at the underside thereof, means on said core and body defining a discharge passageway communicating said downwardly facing opening with said lateral discharge opening, means for detachably supporting said core on said body for axial upward withdrawal therefrom, means for sealing the interface between the core and body around said discharge passageway, a delivery pipe sus pended from said core in communication with said inlet opening therein and extending downwardly therefrom through said access passage, a pump and a submersible electric pump drive motor disposed within said tank below said core and connected to the delivery pipe for pumping gasoline from the tank upwardly through the delivery pipe to the discharge opening, said access passage including said vertical opening in said distributor body having an internal size larger than the outer dimensions of saidpump and said pump drive motor to permit axial withdrawal of the-motor and pump as a unit through the access passage from the ground level.

2. A gasoline dispensing-system providing a substantially pit-free installation to preclude a dangerous accumulation of gasoline vapors comprising, a buried gasoline storage tank located below ground level and having an opening. in the upper side thereof, tubular casing means connected to said tank around said opening in scale relation thereto and extending upwardly therefrom to a point adjacent ground level, said casin means defining an access passage closed at its upper end and communicating at its lower end with the tank to form an enclosure therewith, a pump and a submersible electric pump drive motor disposed within said enclosure, said casing means including a distributor body and a core removably mounted on said distributor body, said distributor. body having a vertical opening extending therethrough forming a part of said access passage and alateral discharge opening, a distribution line connected to said discharge opening for supplying gasoline to remote outlets above ground level, said core. spanning said vertical opening to form a seal across said access passage and having a downwardly facing inlet opening at the underside thereof, means on said core and body defining a discharge passageway communicating said downwardly facing opening with said lateral discharge opening, means for detachably supporting said core on said body for axial upward withdrawal therefrom, means for sealing the, interface between the core and body around said discharge passageway, a delivery pipe. suspended fromsaid core and extending downwardly therefrom through said access passage, means attaching said pump and said pump drive motor on the lower end of said delivery pipe for pumping gasoline from the tank upwardly through the delivery pipe to the discharge opening, said access passage including said vertical opening in said distributor body having an internal size larger than the outside dimension ofsaid pump and pump drive motor to permit axial withdrawal of the motor and pump as a unit through the access passage from the ground level.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said casing means includes a tubular casing connecting said distributor body to said tank; a tubular casing extension extending upwardly from the distributor body to a point adjacent ground level; and an upper seal spanning the upper end of said casing extension.

4. The combination of claim 2 wherein said core and distributor body have bayonet type locking means thereon for releasably securing the core against axial withdrawal from the body upon turning of the core relative to the body.

5. A gasoline dispensing system providing a substan tially pit-free installation to preclude a dangerous accumulation of gasoline vapors, said system having a permanent buried assembly and an extractible assembly removable from ground level, said permanent buried assembly comprising; a gasoline storage tank located below ground level and having an opening in the upper side thereof, a casing attached to said tank around said opening in sealed relation thereto and extending upwardly from the tank to a point closely adjacent ground level to define an access passage communicating with said tank, a distributor body forming part of said casing and having a vertical opening extending therethrough and a lateral discharge opening at one side of said vertical opening, and an underground distribution line connected to said lateral discharge opening for supplying gasoline to remote outlets above ground level, said extractible assembly comprising; a core spanning said vertical opening to form a seal across said access passage and having a downwardly facing inlet opening at the underside thereof, a delivery pipe attached to the core in communication with said inlet opening and extending downwardly therefrom, and a pump and a submersible electric pump drive motor mounted on the lower end of said delivery pipe, said access passage including said vertical opening in the distributor body having an internal size larger than the outer dimensions of said motor and pump unit to permit axial insertion and Withdrawal of said motor and pump unit therethrough from ground level, means for detachably supporting said core on said body with the motor and pump unit disposed in the tank therebelow, said core and body defining a discharge passageway communicating said downwardly (facing opening with said lateral discharge opening when the core is mounted on the body, and means for sealing the inter-face between the core and body around said discharge opening when the core is mounted on the body.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said casing includes a tubular casing connecting said distributor body to said tank, a tubular casing extension extending up wardly from the distributor body to a point adjacent ground level, and an upper seal spanning the upper end of the casing extension.

7. A gasoline dispensing system providing a substantially pit-free installation to prevent a dangerous accumulation of gasoline vapors comprising, a buried gasoline storage tank located below ground level and having an opening in the upper side thereof, tubular casing means having a diameter smaller than said tank connected to the tank around said opening in sealed relation thereto and extending upwardly therefrom to a point closely adjacent ground level, said casing means defining an access passage closed at its upper end and communicating at its lower end with the tank to form an enclosure therewith, a pump and a submersible electric pump drive motor disposed within said enclosure, said casing means including a distributor body and a core removably mounted on said body, said distributor body having a vertical opening extending therethrough and forming a part of said access passage and a lateral discharge opening communicating with said vertical opening below the upper end of said casing means, a distribution line connected to said discharge opening for supplying gasoline to remote outlets above ground level, said core having a downwardly facing inlet opening and being movable axially into and out of said vertical opening in said body to span said vertical opening and form a seal thereacross, means for removably supporting said core in said vertical opening of the discharge body, seal means between the periphery of said core and said body for sealing the interface therebetween around said discharge opening, means on said core and said body defining a discharge passageway which communicates at one end with said inlet opening in the core and at the other end with said discharge opening in the body, a delivery pipe attached to said core in communication with said downwardly facing inlet opening and extending downwardly therefrom into the tank, and means attaching said pump on the lower end of said delivery pipe for pumping gasoline from the tank upwardly through the delivery pipe to the discharge outlet, said access passage including said vertical opening in said distributor body having an internal size larger than the outer dimensions of the pump and motor to permit axial withdrawal of the motor and pump :as a unit through the access passage from the ground level.

8. A gasoline dispensing system providing a substantially pit-free installation to preclude a dangerous accumulation of gasoline, a buried gasoline storage tank located below ground level and having an opening in the upper side thereof, tubular casing means having a diameter smaller than said tank connected to the tank around said opening in sealed relation thereto and extending upwardly therefrom to a point closely adjacent ground level, said casing means defining an access passage closed at its upper end and communicating at its lower end with said tank to form an enclosure therewith, said casing means including a distributor body and a core removably mounted on said body, said distributor body having a vertical opening extending therethrough and forming part of said access passage and a lateral discharge opening communicating with said vertical opening below the upper end of said distributor body, a distribution line connected to said discharge opening for supplying gasoline to remote outlets above the ground level, said core having a downwardly facing inlet opening and being movable axially into and out of said vertical opening to span said opening and form a seal thereacross, means for removably supporting said core in said vertical opening of said body, said core having upper and lower seal means spanning said vertical opening in said body respectively above and below said discharge opening and defining a discharge passageway communicating at one end with said inlet opening and at the other end with said discharge opening, a delivery pipe attached to said core in communication with said downwardly facing inlet opening and extending downwardly therefrom into said tank, a submersible electric motor and pump unit disposed in said tank and connected to said discharge pipe for pumping gasoline upwardly from the tank through the delivery pipe to the discharge opening, said passage including said vertical opening in said distributor body having an internal size larger than the outer dimension of the motor and pump unit to permit axial withdrawal of the motor and pump unit therethrough from ground level.

9. A gasoline dispensing system providing a substantially pit-free installation to prevent a dangerous accumu lation of gasoline vapors comprising, a buried gasoline storage tank located below ground level and having an opening in the upper side thereof, tubular casing means having a diameter smaller than said tank connected to the tank around said opening in sealed relation thereto and extending upwardly therefrom to a point closely ad acent ground level, said casing means defining an access passage closed at its upper end and communicating at its lower end with said tank to form an enclosure therewith, said casing means including a distributor body and a core removably mounted on said distributor body, said distributor body having a vertical opening extending therethrough and forming part of said passage and a lateral discharge opening communicating with said vertical opening below the upper end of said distributor body, a distribution line connected to said discharge opening for supplying gasoline to remote outlets above the ground level, said core having a downwardly facing inlet opening and being movable axially into and out of said vertical opening, means for removably supporting said core in said vertical opening of said body, said core spanning said vertical opening in said body to form a seal thereacross, said core and body having means defining a discharge passageway communicating at one end with said inlet opening and at the other end with said discharge opening, a delivery pipe attached to said core in communication with said inlet opening and extending downwardly therefrom into said tank, a submersible electric motor and pump unit disposed in said tank and connected to said discharge pipe for pumping gasoline upwardly from the tank through the delivery ppie to the discharge opening, said access passage including said vertical opening in said distributor body having an internal siZe larger than the outer dimension of the motor and pump unit to permit axial withdrawal of the motor and pump unit therethrough from ground level, means on said core defining a valve seat in said discharge passageway intermediate said inlet opening and said discharge opening, a check valve cooperable with said seat andadapted to open and permit flow from said delivery line to said discharge opening and to close to prevent return flow to thereby maintain the distribution line filled with liquid under pressure when the pump is stopped, said core normally blocking flow from the discharge opening to the access passage whereby, upon axial withdrawal of the core from the opening, the gasoline in the distribution line drains back from said discharge opening through said passage into the tank.

10. A gasoline dispensing system providing a substantially pit-free installation to preclude a dangerous accumulation of gasoline vapors comprising, a buried gasoline storage tank located below ground level and having an opening in the upper side thereof, tubular casing means connected to said tank around said opening in sealed relation thereto and extending upwardly therefrom to a point closely adjacent ground level to define an access passage communicating with said tank, said casing means including a distributor body and a core removably mounted on said distributor body, said distributor body having a vertical opening extending therethrough forming a part of said access passage and a lateral discharge opening, a distribution line connected to said discharge opening for supplying gasoline to remote outlets above ground level, said core spanning said vertical opening to form a seal across the access passage and having a downwardly facing inlet opening at the underside thereof, means on said core and body defining a discharge passageway communicating said downwardly facing opening with said lateral discharge opening, means for detachably supporting said core on said body for axial upward withdrawal therefrom, means for sealing the interface between the core and body around said discharge passageway, a delivery pipe suspended from said core in communication with said inlet opening therein and extending downwardly therefrom through said access passage, a pump and a submersible electric pump drive motor disposed within said tank below said core and connected to the delivery pipe for pumping gasoline from the tank upwardly through the delivery pipe to the discharge opening, said access passage including said vertical opening in said distributor body having an internal size larger than the outer dimensions of said pump and said pump drive motor to permit axial withdrawal of the motor and pump as a unit through the body passage from the ground level, conduit means connected at one end to said motor and extending upwardly through said delivery pipe and 10 terminating at its upper end closely adjacent ground level, and motor conductors extending through saidconduit means to said motor.

11. The combination of claim 10 wherein said core has means defining a check valve seat at the upper end of said delivery pipe and around said conduit means, and a check valve member extending around said conduit means and cooperable with said seat for blocking return flow to the delivery pipe.

12. A gasoline dispensing system providing substantially pit-free installations to preclude a dangerous accumulation of gasoline vapors comprising, a buried gasoline storage tank located below ground level and having an opening in the upper side thereof, tubular casing means having a diameter smaller than said tank connected to the tank around said opening in sealed relation thereto and extending upwardly therefrom to a point closely adjacent ground level, said casing means defining an access passage closed at its upper end and communicating at its lower end with said tank to form an enclosure therewith, said casing means including a distributor body and a core removably mounted on said body, said distributor body having a vertical opening extending therethrough and formingpart of said access passage and a discharge opening communicating with said vertical opening below the upper end of said distributor body, a distribution line connected to said discharge opening for supplying gasoline to remote outlets above the ground level, said core having a downwardly facing inlet opening and being movable axially into and out. of said vertical opening, means for removably supporting said core in said vertical opening of said body, said core spanning said vertical opening in said body to form a seal thereacross, means on said core and body defining a discharge passageway communicating at one end with said inlet opening and at the other end with said discharge opening, a delivery pipe attached to said core in communication with said inlet openingand extending downwardly therefrom into said tank, a submersible electric motor and pump unit disposed in said tank and connected to said discharge pipe for pumping gasoline upwardly from the tank through the delivery pipe to the discharge opening, said access passage including said vertical opening in said distributor body having an internal size larger than the outer dimension of the motor and pump unit to permit axial withdrawal of the motor and pump unit therethrough, means defining a valve seat in said enclosed passageway intermediate said delivery line and said discharge opening, a check valve cooperable with said seat and adapted to open and permit flow from said delivery line to said discharge opening and to close to prevent return flow to thereby maintain the distribution line filled with liquid under pressure when the pump is stopped, and a gas vent means communicating with said discharge passageway and operative when the pump is operating for venting fiuid back to the tank in response to operation of the pump.

13. A gasoline dispensing system providing a substantially pit free installation to preclude a dangerous accumulation of gasoline vapors comprising, a buried gasoline storage tank located below ground level and having an opening in the upper side thereof, tubular casing means having a diameter smaller than said tank connected to the tank around said opening in sealed relation thereto and extending upwardly therefrom to a point closely adjacent ground level, said casing means defining an access passage communicating at its lower end with said tank and extending upwardly therefrom to a point adjacent ground level, said casing means including a distributor body having a vertical opening extending the-rethrough and forming part of said access passage and a lateral discharge opening communicating with said vertical opening below the upper end of said distributor body, a distribution line connected to said discharge opening for supplying gasoline to remote outlets above the ground 11 level, said casing means also including a core movable axially into and out of said vertical opening, means for removably supporting said core in said vertical opening of said body, said core spanning said vertical opening in said body and defining a discharge passageway communicating with said discharge opening, a delivery pipe attached to said core in communication with said discharge passageway and extending downwardly therefrom into said tank, a submersible electric motor and pump unit disposed in said tank and connected to Said discharge pipe for pumping gasoline upwardly from the tank through the delivery pipe to the discharge opening, said access passage including said vertical opening in said distributor body having an internal size larger than said motor and pump unit to permit axial withdrawal of the motor and pump unit therethrough from ground level, means defining a valve seat in said enclosed passageway intermediate said delivery line and said discharge opening, a check valve cooperable with said seat and adapted to open and permit flow from said delivery line to said discharge opening and to close to prevent return How to thereby maintain the distribution line filled with liquid under pressure when the pump is stopped, and a siphonpriming ejector mounted on said core for removal therewith and having an inlet communicating with said 611- closed passageway and an outlet operative to pass fluid back into the tank when the pump is operating, said ejector also having a throat inlet adapted for connection to a siphon line to draw fluid and deliver the fluid to the ejector outlet when the pump is operating.

14. The combination of claim 13 wherein said distributor body has a siphon inlet opening therein, auxiliary seal means on said core defining a siphon chamber communicating with said siphon inlet opening and with said throat inlet, said core being adapted upon withdrawal from said body to uncover said siphon opening and permit drainage of gasoline directly into the tank.

15. The combination of claim 13 including a check valve in said throat inlet passage of said ejector arranged to open when the pump is operating to permit flow to the ejector and to close when the pump is stopped to prevent loss of siphon prime, said last-mentioned check valve being mounted on said core for removal therewith.

16. A gasoline dispensing system providing substantially pit-free installation to preclude a dangerous accumulation of gasoline vapors comprising, a gasoline storage tank located below ground level and having an opening in the upper side, a mounting nipple attached to said pipe around said opening and extending upwardly therefrom, a distributor body attached to the upper end of said mounting nipple and having a vertical opening extending therethrough, an extractor nipple attached to said body and extending upwardly therefrom to a point closely adjacent ground level, said distributor body having a lateral discharge opening communicating with said vertical opening, a distribution line connected to said lateral opening, a core movable axially into and out of said vertical opening in said body and having a downwardly facing opening and a discharge passageway communicating said downwardly facing opening with said lateral discharge opening in said body, means for removably supporting said core in said vertical opening in said body, a delivery pipe attached to said core and extending downwardly therefrom through said mounting nipple into said tank, a submersible electric motor and pump unit disposed in said tank and mounted on said delivery pipe for pumping gasoline upwardly from the tank through the delivery pipe to the lateral discharge opening, said mounting nipple; distributor body and extractor nipple defining an access passage having an internal size larger than the outer dimensions of the motor and pump unit and extending to adjacent ground level to enable axial withdrawal of the core, delivery pipe, motor and pump unit therethrough from ground level, a drop pipe attached to said core and extending upwardly through 12 the extractor nipple for withdrawing the core, and an upper seal means for sealing the upper end of said extractor nipple.

17. A gasoline dispensing system providing a substantially pit-free installation to preclude a dangerous accumulation of gasoline vapors comprising, a buried gasoline storage tank located below ground level and having an opening in the upper side thereof, tubular casing means connected to said tank around said opening in sealed relation thereto and extending upwardly therefrom to a point closely adjacent ground level to define an access passage communicating with said tank, said casing means including a distributor body and a core removably mounted on said distributor body, said distributor body having a vertical opening extending therethrough forming a part of said access passage and a lateral discharge opening, a distribution line connected to said discharge opening for supplying gasoline to remote outlets above ground level, said core spanning said vertical opening to form a seal across the access passage and having a downwardly facing inlet opening at the underside thereof, means on said core and body defining a discharge passageway communicating said downwardly facing opening with said lateral discharge opening, means for detachably supporting said core on said body for axial upward withdrawal therefrom, means for sealing the interface between the core and body around said discharge passageway, a delivery pipe sus-' pended from said core in communication with said inlet opening therein and extending downwardly therefrom through said access passage, a pump and a submersible electric pump drive motor disposed within said tank below said core and connected to the delivery pipe for pumping gasoline from the tank upwardly through the delivery pipe to the discharge opening, said access passage including said vertical opening in said distributor "body having an internal size larger than the outer dimensions of said pump and said pump drive motor to permit axial withdrawal of the motor and pump as a unit through the access passage from the ground level, a siphon-priming ejector having an ejector inlet communicating with said discharge passageway; a suction inlet adapted for connection to a siphon line to draw fluid therefrom; and an ejector outlet, and a conduit extending from said ejector outlet downwardly into said tank to a point substantially below the top of the tank for returning the gasoline that flows through the ejector to the tank.

18. A gasoline dispensing system providing a substantially pit-free installation to preclude a dangerous accumulation of gasoline vapors comprising, a buried gasoline storage tank located below ground level and having an opening in the upper side thereof, tubular casing means connected to said tank around said opening in sealed relation thereto and extending upwardly therefrom to a point closely adjacent ground level to define an access passage communicating with said tank, said casing means including a distributor body and a core removably mounted on said distributor body, said distributor body having a vertical opening extending therethrough forming a part of said access passage and a lateral discharge opening, a distribution line connected to said discharge opening for supplying gasoline to remote outlets above ground level, said core spanning said vertical opening to form a seal across the access passage and having a downwardly facing inlet opening at the underside thereof, means on said core and body defining a discharge passageway communicating said downwardly facing opening with said lateral discharge opening, means for detachably supporting said core on said body for axial upward withdrawal therefrom, means for sealing the interface between the core and body around said discharge passageway, a delivery pipe suspended from said core in communication with said inlet opening therein and extending downwardly therefrom through said access passage, a pump and a submersible electric pump drive motor disposed within said tank below said core and connected to the delivery pipe 13 for pumping gasoline from the tank upwardly through the delivery pipe to the discharge opening, said access passage including said vertical opening in said distributor body having an internal size larger than the outer dimensions of said pump and said pump drive motor to permit axial withdrawal of the motor and pump as a unit through the access passage from the ground level, a siphon priming ejector on said core for removal therewith and having an ejector inlet communicating with said discharge passageway; a suction inlet adapted for connection to a siphon line to draw liquid therefrom; and an ejector outlet, and a conduit attached to said core for removal therewith and extending from said ejector outlet downwardly through said access passage into said tank to a point substantially below the top of the tank for returning the gasoline which flows through the ejector to the tank.

No references cited. 

1. A GASOLINE DISPENSING SYSTEM PROVIDING A SUBSTANTIALLY PIT-FREE INSTALLATION TO PRECLUDE A DANGEROUS ACCUMULATION OF GASOLINE VAPORS COMPRISING, A BURIED GASOLINE STORAGE TANK LOCATED BELOW GROUND LEVEL AND HAVING AN OPENING IN THE UPPER SIDE THEREOF, TUBULAR CASING MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID TANK AROUND SAID OPENING IN SEALED RELATION THERETO AND EXTENDING UPWARDLY THEREFROM TO A POINT CLOSELY ADJACENT GROUND LEVEL TO DEFINE AN ACCESS PASSAGE COMMUNICATING WITH SAID TANK, SAID CASING MEANS INCLUDING A DISTRIBUTOR BODY AND A CORE REMOVABLY MOUNTED ON SAID DISTRIBUTOR BODY, SAID DISTRIBUTOR BODY HAVING A VERTICAL OPENING EXTENDING THERETHROUGH FORMING A PART OF SAID ACCESS PASSAGE AND A LATERAL DISCHARGE OPENING, A DISTRIBUTION LINE CONNECTED TO SAID DISCHARGE OPENING FOR SUPPLYING GASOLINE TO REMOTE OUTLETS ABOVE GROUND LEVEL, SAID CORE SPANNING SAID VERTICAL OPENING TO FORM A SEAL ACROSS THE ACCESS PASSAGE AND HAVING A DOWNWARDLY FACING INLET OPENING AT THE UNDERSIDE THEREOF, MEANS ON SAID CORE AND BODY DEFINING A DISCHARGE PASSAGEWAY COMMUNICATING SAID DOWNWARDLY FACING OPENING WITH SAID LATERAL DISCHARGE OPENING, MEANS FOR DETACHABLY SUPPORTING SAID CORE ON SAID BODY FOR AXIAL UPWARD WITHDRAWAL THEREFROM, MEANS FOR SEALING THE INTERFACE BETWEEN THE CORE AND BODY AROUND SAID DISCHARGE PASSAGEWAY, A DELIVERY PIPE SUSPENDED FROM SAID CORE IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID INLET OPENING THEREIN AND EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY THEREFROM THROUGH SAID ACCESS PASSAGE, A PUMP AND A SUBMERSIBLE 